Segmented Collapsible Container

ABSTRACT

A segmented collapsible container for containing a liquid and collapsing when no liquid is present. The container is segmented into a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The three segmented portions form a uniform annular sidewall, with each separate portion of the sidewall having a different thickness or material than the other portions. The middle second portion includes a relatively thinner break point in the sidewall to facilitate collapsing. It is this variation in rigidity and integrity of the sidewalls that allows the segmented collapsible container to collapse. The segmented collapsible container includes an airtight seal formed in the first portion that restricts fluids, such as but not limited to, air from entering or leaving the segmented collapsible container. The segmented collapsible container may more easily return to its original shape after collapsing. This facilitates cleaning and reusability of the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of theU.S. provisional application for patent ser. no. 61/510,873 entitled“scrunchable BOTTLE”, filed on 22 Jul. 2011 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). Thecontents of this related provisional application are incorporated hereinby reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter isnot inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office,patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to liquidcontainers. More particularly, one or more embodiments of the inventionrelate to collapsible liquid containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Many liquid containers are not collapsible, however, there arecollapsible liquid containers. Typically, liquid containers that arecollapsible do not return to an original shape easily. Further, liquidcontainers typically fill with air when at least partially empty.Although air can be squeezed out by collapsing some liquid containers,it is typically not possible to purge almost all air from the liquidcontainer.

Reusable liquid containers are often difficult to clean. Some liquidcontainers are prone to collect mold, fungi or bacteria. Further, manyliquid containers are constructed of materials which affect a beverageinside of the liquid container. Sometimes this can result in healthissues or decreased enjoyment of the beverage.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary liquid containeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic side view of an exemplary liquidcontainer according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary liquid container accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are best understood by reference tothe detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations ofthe invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit withinthe scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read asplural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to embodimentsthereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions orparticular construction materials indicated herein are solely providedas examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to belimiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particularapplication, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in lightof the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternativeimplementation details. FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplarysegmented collapsible container according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The liquid container includes a first portion 105, asecond portion 110, and a third portion 115. In one alternativeembodiment, the three segmented portions form a uniform annularsidewall, with each separate portion of the sidewall having a differentthickness or material than the other portions. It is this variation inrigidity and integrity of the sidewalls that allows the segmentedcollapsible container to collapse. In further embodiments, the segmentedcollapsible container includes an airtight seal formed in the firstportion that restrict fluids, such as but not limited to, air fromentering or leaving the segmented collapsible container. By restrictingthe flow of air, the segmented collapsible container may more easilyreturn to its original shape after collapsing. This facilitates cleaningand reusability of the container.

In some embodiments, the second portion 110 is used to hold a fluid.Suitable liquids include, but are not limited to, water, beverages,gasoline, and medicines, laundry soap, soup, motor oil, cooking oil,licquar, vitamins, serums, beverages at sporting events for drymaterials, to keep dry, flour, match sticks, vitamins, dried spicesdisposable paper products, live fishing bait, sugar, honey, and drycoffee tea. Suitable fabrication materials for the second portion 110include, but are not limited to, a silicone, a polypropylene, apolyvinylchloride, a plastic, a plastic, rubber, a silicone oil, asilicone grease, a silicone rubber, and a silicone resin. The materialmay also have an optional hardness that is noticeable to the user. Insome embodiments, the hardness may be in the range of 30 duramiter to 75duramiter. However, the hardness range may also be less than 30durameters, or exceed 75 durameters. In some embodiments, the secondportion material does not contain bisphenol a.

In many alternative embodiments, the second portion 110 is collapsible.The second portion also may include a first liquid level 120 and asecond liquid level 125. In some embodiments, the second portion 110 isfull of the liquid when at the first liquid level 120. When the secondportion 110 is at the second liquid level 125 air may enter the secondportion 110. In some embodiments, air can be purged from the secondportion 110 by flattening or squeezing at least a portion of the secondportion 110.

The second portion may include a first dimension 130 and a seconddimension 135. The first dimension may be in the range of 2″ to 4″. Thesecond dimension 135 may be in the range of 4″ to 14″. However, thedimensions may be greater or less than this range in other embodiments.The second portion may also have a second portion thickness. The secondportion thickness may be in the range of 0.006 to 0.016. However, thethickness may be greater or less than this range in other embodiments.In some embodiments, at least one of the first dimension and the seconddimension may be increased or decreased along at least a portion of thesecond portion 110 by flattening or squeezing at least a portion of thesecond portion 110. In many embodiments, at least one of the firstdimension and the second dimension may be increased or decreased alongat least a portion of the second portion 110 by adding the liquid to atleast a portion of the second portion 110. The second portion 110 mayalso include a volume. The volume may be in the range of 8 ounces to 60ounces. However, in other embodiments of the present invention thatcontain creams, lotions, glue, or paint, the volume may be less.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic side view of an exemplary liquidcontainer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The firstportion 205 may include at least one of a mouth 240, a retainer 245, asleeve 250, and a cap 255. In some embodiments, the mouth 240 may have afirst diameter 241 and a second diameter 242. The first diameter 241 maybe in the range of 1.5° to 3.5″. Suitable materials for the mouth 215include, but are not limited to, a silicone, a polypropylene, apolyvinylchloride, a plastic, a plastic, rubber, a silicone oil, asilicone grease, a silicone rubber, and a silicone resin. In someembodiments, a groove may be disposed in the mouth.

The liquid container 200 may also include a retainer 245. The retainer245 may be removably disposed in the mouth 240. In some embodiments, atleast a portion of the retainer 245 fits into the groove in the mouth240. Suitable materials for the retainer 245 include, but are notlimited to, a silicone, a polypropylene, a polyvinylchloride, a plastic,a plastic, rubber, VITON, BUTYL, EPDM Teflon®, stainless steal titanium,a silicone oil, a silicone grease, a silicone rubber, and a siliconeresin, Poly ethelyne VITON, BUTYL, EPDM Teflon®, stainless steeltitanium. In some embodiments, the retainer 245 may include at least oneof a top diameter 246 and a bottom diameter 247. The top diameter 246may be in the range of 25 mm to 60 mm. The bottom diameter 247 may be inthe range of 20 mm-to 55 mm.

In some embodiments, a strainer or filter 248 may disposed in theretainer 245. The filter may keep solids, including but not limited to,ice, from exiting the liquid container 200. In many embodiments, thefilter 248 is configured to prevent solids greater than a predeterminedsize from passing through the mouth 240. Suitable filter include, butare not limited to, metal wire mesh filters and plastic filterscharcoal, stainless steel, ceramic, polymide, Teflon, and titanium. Inone alternative embodiment, the filter is a charcoal filter that isefficacious in filtering nonfiltered water. The charcoal filter may befabricated from, but not limited to polyethelyne, stainless steelTeflon®, or titanium PP. In some embodiments, the retainer 245 mayadditionally include a spout. The spout may be used for drinking orpouring.

The liquid container 200 may also include a thread ring 250. In someembodiments the thread ring includes a joining mechanism 252. In manyembodiments, the joining mechanism is configured to couple the threadring 250 with the mouth 240. Those skilled in the art can appreciatethat configuring the joining mechanism with sixteen linear surfaces toform “flat spots” may create a more secure engagement between the threadring and the mouth of the first portion. However, in other embodiments,suitable joining mechanisms include, but are not limited to, a ridge andhexagonal, slotted, or smooth inner surface. In some embodiments, thethread ring 250 may also include a joining apparatus 254. The joiningapparatus may be configured to couple the thread ring 250 with the cap255. Suitable shapes for the thread ring 250 include, but are notlimited to a circle, an oval, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, and ahexagon. Suitable materials for the thread ring 250 include, but are notlimited to, a silicone, a polypropylene, a polyvinylchloride, a plastic,a plastic, rubber, a silicone oil, a silicone grease, a silicone rubber,and a silicone resin, stainless steel, Teflon, titanium.

The liquid container 200 may also include a cap 255. Suitable materialsfor the cap 255 include, but are not limited to, a silicone, apolypropylene, a polyvinylchloride, a plastic, a plastic, rubber, asilicone oil, a silicone grease, a silicone rubber, and a silicone resinstainless steel Teflon, titanium. In some embodiments, at least one ofthe mouth 240, the retainer 245, the thread ring 250, and the cap 255create an airtight seal. In many embodiments, at least one of the mouth240, the retainer 245, the sleeve 250, and the cap 255 create a leakresistant seal. In some embodiments, a leak resistant ring is disposedin the cap 255. In an alternative embodiment, the cap may include ano-ring on the inner circumference to secure the retainer in place andcreate a spill proof, leak resistant segmented collapsible container.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that in one embodiment,utilizing silicone having a hardness of 50 durameters to fabricate thesegmented collapsible container provides sufficient rigidity forcontaining a liquid, and perpetually collapsing and returning to anextended position the segmented collapsible container.

The liquid container 200 may also include a coupling mechanism 260. Thecoupling mechanism may be configured to attach to an item. Suitableitems include, but are not limited to, a carabineer, a hook, a strap,and a charm, trinket, made from aluminum, plastic, leather, jewels,string, or rubber. In some embodiments the coupling mechanism 260 isdisposed on a tab 262. In many embodiments, the tab 262 is configured tofold. Suitable materials for the tab 262 include, but are not limitedto, a silicone, a polypropylene, a polyvinylchloride, a plastic, aplastic, rubber, a silicone oil, a silicone grease, a silicone rubber,and a silicone resin polyethelyne, stainless steel Teflon, titanium.

The third portion 215 may include a bottom 216. Suitable materials forthe bottom 216 include, but are not limited to, a silicone, apolypropylene, a polyvinylchloride, a plastic, a plastic, rubber, asilicone oil, a silicone grease, a silicone rubber, and a siliconeresin. Suitable shapes for the bottom 216 include, but are not limitedto a circle, an oval, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, and a hexagon.In some embodiments, the bottom 216 is convex. In other embodiments, thebottom 216 is CONCAVE. In many embodiments, the bottom 216 includes athickness. The thickness may be in the range of 0.6 mm to 1.8 mm.However, the thickness may also be greater than or less than this rangein alternative embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary liquid container accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, theliquid container 300 includes at least one of, a second portion 310, amouth 340, a tab 362, and a retainer 345. In many embodiments, at leastone of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion isdishwasher safe. In some embodiments, at least one of the first portion,the second portion and the third portion is resistant to a contaminant.Suitable contaminants include, but are not limited to, mold, fungi andbacteria.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the segmented collapsiblecontainer may have numerous benefits when configured as a baby bottle.In one embodiment, manufacturing a smaller segmented collapsiblecontainer would allow the baby to grasp the segmented collapsible bottleas a bottle. Further, by adding an appropriate nipple to the cap, airwould be restricted from entering the bottle, and the baby would avoidinhaling air and getting a stomach ache. Alternative embodiments of thefabrication of the present invention, whether in the form of a babybottle or not, may also include antibacterial materials.

All the features or embodiment components disclosed in thisspecification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, unlessexpressly stated otherwise, may be replaced by alternative features orcomponents serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose as known bythose skilled in the art to achieve the same, equivalent, suitable, orsimilar results by such alternative feature(s) or component(s) providinga similar function by virtue of their having known suitable propertiesfor the intended purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, eachfeature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent,or suitable, or similar features known or knowable to those skilled inthe art without requiring undue experimentation.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing liquidcontainers according to the present invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way ofillustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended tolimit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particularimplementation of the liquid containers may vary depending upon theparticular context or application. By way of example, and notlimitation, the liquid containers described in the foregoing wereprincipally directed to collapsible liquid container implementations;however, similar techniques may instead be applied to containers forgases, gels or solids which implementations of the present invention arecontemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The inventionis thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

1. A segmented collapsible container comprising: a first portion, saidfirst portion being configured to restrict the flow of a fluid; a secondportion, said second portion being configured to receive a predeterminedquantity of liquid, said second portion further being configured with asidewall, said sidewall being configured with a multiplicity ofthicknesses, said multiplicity of thicknesses comprising a collapsepoint thickness; and a third portion, said third portion beingconfigured to provide a base for said segmented collapsible container.2. The segmented collapsible container of claim 1, wherein said secondportion is configured to collapse.
 3. The segmented collapsiblecontainer of claim 2, in which said collapse point thickness is about0.012 millimeters.
 4. The segmented collapsible container of claim 3, inwhich said second portion comprises a first liquid level, said firstliquid level being disposed to identify a high capacity liquid level. 5.The segmented collapsible container of claim 4, in which said secondportion further comprises a second liquid level, said second liquidlevel being disposed to identify a low capacity liquid level.
 6. Thesegmented collapsible container of claim 5, in which said second portionfurther comprises a first dimension, said first dimension being disposedto identify said segmented collapsible container in a fully extendedposition.
 7. The segmented collapsible container of claim 6, in whichsaid second portion further comprises a second dimension, said seconddimension being disposed to identify said segmented collapsiblecontainer in a collapsed position.
 8. The segmented collapsiblecontainer of claim 7, in which said first portion comprises a mouth. 9.The segmented collapsible container of claim 8, in which said mouthcomprises at least one groove, said at least one groove being operableto engage a retainer flange.
 10. The segmented collapsible container ofclaim 9, in which said first portion further comprises a retainer, saidretainer being disposed to restrict movement of solids.
 11. Thesegmented collapsible container of claim 10, in which said retainercomprises a top diameter, a bottom diameter, and a filter.
 12. Thesegmented collapsible container of claim 11, wherein said bottomdiameter is configured to securely engage said mouth for restrictingmovement of a fluid.
 13. The segmented collapsible container of claim12, in which said first portion further comprises a cap.
 14. Thesegmented collapsible container of claim 13, wherein said cap comprisesa leak resistant ring, said leak resistant ring being configured torestrict movement of liquids.
 15. The segmented collapsible container ofclaim 14, in which said first portion further comprises a thread ring,said thread ring comprising a joining mechanism, said joining mechanismbeing configured to join said mouth with said thread ring, said threadring further comprising a joining apparatus, said joining apparatusbeing configured to join said thread ring with said cap.
 16. Thesegmented collapsible container of claim 15, wherein said joiningmechanism comprises about 16 linear surfaces for restricting movementbetween said mouth and said thread ring.
 17. The segmented collapsiblecontainer of claim 16, in which said first portion further comprises apredetermined quantity of silicone, said silicone being disposed to 18.The segmented collapsible container of claim 17, in which said segmentedcollapsible container comprises at least one coupling mechanism, said atleast one coupling mechanism being operable to join to an item, said atleast one coupling mechanism comprising at least one tab, said at leastone tab being disposed to flexibility.
 19. The segmented collapsiblecontainer of claim 18, in which said segmented collapsible containercomprises a predetermined quantity of silicone, said predeterminedquantity of silicone being disposed to create structural integrity, saidpredetermined quantity of silicone comprising a hardness of about 50durameters.
 20. A segmented collapsible container comprising: means forfilling said segmented collapsible container with a predeterminedquantity of fluid; means for extracting said predetermined quantity offluid from said segmented collapsible container; means for collapsing asecond portion of said segmented collapsible container; and means forextending said segmented collapsible container to an original position.